‘I believe you love Gladys better than me,’ laughed Mrs Jones.

’It was love at first sight, my dear.  She was the first pretty girl that I saw after I came from Australia.  And I have gone on loving her better and better ever since.’

‘The worst of it is, that it is mutual,’ said Miss Gwynne.  ’I wonder whether it is on your account or Owen Prothero’s that she has refused all the London swains who are dying for her.’

Mrs Jones and Freda were soon hard at work arranging rooms.  Every available comfort was put into Freda’s bedroom and dressing-room, and her own clothes and general possessions were turned out to find a home elsewhere.  Gladys’ little workroom soon wore a most cheerful aspect, and the easiest chair and sofa the house afforded were put into it.  Whilst these matters were being arranged, Mr Jones was despatched to tell Rowland to bring his sister as soon as possible, and in the course of a few hours they arrived, accompanied by Gladys and Minette.  The shock of the morning had so weakened Netta’s nervous system, that Rowland was obliged to carry her upstairs.  When she was put on the sofa in the little room, and saw so many kind friends about her once more, the bewildered, wandering eyes found relief in tears.

‘Gladys! you will not go away?’ she said, holding Gladys by the hand.  ‘She may come home with me, Miss Gwynne?’

Gladys knelt down by the sofa, and tried to soothe her, by telling her that her brother was coming to fetch her.

‘I can’t go home without Gladys!’ persisted Netta, casting wild, beseeching glances from one to the other of the friends who stood round her.

‘She shall go with you, Netta, decidedly,’ said Miss Gwynne.  ’It will be much the best plan.’

‘Gladys, you will come with us?’ said Minette, throwing her arm round her neck, as she knelt by her mother.  ’You won’t go away from poor mamma, and your little Minette.’

Gladys felt, that in this, she was but an instrument.  However it was settled that she was to accompany Netta home; and if the inmates of the farm did not receive her willingly, she was to go to the Park, whither Miss Gwynne was to follow shortly, for her long-promised Christmas visit.

When Netta and Rowland were left alone, Minette having been seduced by Miss Gwynne into another room, Netta said,—­

’You see, Rowland, I must go away directly, because I don’t know when he may come.  I am sure he will fetch me, and if I stay here he will not know where to find me.’

’Only two or three days, dear Netta.  I have written to Owen.  He will get the letter to-morrow, and be here the next day.  You can start the day after to-morrow, if you will try to rouse yourself, and eat and drink.’

’Yes, I will; but I am afraid of father.  It is nearly ten years since I saw him, and if he is cross now, I shall die.’

‘He will be kind, quite kind.’

‘Are you sure?’